Conveyer



G. w. CARMIICHAEL 2,307,665

CONVEYER' ,Jan. 5, 1943.

Filed April 26, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR n- 1943' e. w. CARMICHAEL CONVEYER Filed April 26, 1940 GSheetS-Sheet 5 r) m@ n T N N2 R E/ 0 m w 4.

MUM

Patented Jan. 5, 1943 UNlTED STATES PATE'l Carmichael, Jr., Sherman R. Carmichael, and Wilmer W. Carmichael Application April 26, 1940, Serial No. 331,855

4 Claims. (Cl. 19820) The present invention relates to conveying apparatus, and more particularly to apparatus for conveying units such as cases, from one elevation to another.

One object of the invention is to provide a conveying apparatus comprising two conveyers cooperating for transferring units from one conveyer to the other, one conveyer being translatable with respect to the other and carrying mechanism for moving units therealong, and mechanism operable in synchronism with the other of the conveyers for rendering the mechanism operative and inoperative.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a conveyer including a mechanism for moving units therealong, which mechanism is actuated by an endless flexible driving member, the connection between the mechanism and the driving member being such that the conveyer can be translatably moved for example, from one elevation to another, while maintaining driving relationship between the mechanism and driving member.

Still another object of the invention is to pro- Vide a conveying apparatus comprising two conveyers cooperating for transferring units from one to the other, one conveyer having mecha nism for moving units therealong, and a stop member normally biased to a position for blocking movement of units by the mechanism, which member is movable to a second position for releasing the units by a device operating in synchronism with the other of the conveyers.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a conveying apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a view of the opposite side of the conveying apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an end view of the conveying apparatus. For the sake of clarity the parts of the apparatus on the opposite end thereof are not shown;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary View taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3, but on a larger scale, and showing the top of an unloading conveyer;

Fig. 5 is a view in section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4, but on a larger scale;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side View, partly in sec tion, of a loading conveyer, certain parts being broken away;

Fig. 7 is a view taken on line l-l of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view, in section, showing a clutch and driving mechanism;

Fig. 9 is a view taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 is a view, partly in. section, showing a crank member;

a Fig. 11 is a view in section of a bearing;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary side view of another type of conveying apparatus, and

Fig. 13 is a view takenvon line I3l3 of Fig. 12.

Referring tothe drawings, a conveying apparatus 2c is shown, comprising in general, a frame 2| and conveyers 22, 24 and 26 mounted on the frame 2!. f

Preferably the framezl is formed of steel members weldedtogether and includes a base 30, four upright-posts 3i and suitable braces for maintaining the frame rigid. Two opposite ends of the frame are open to receive theconveyers 24 and 26. which conveyers are translatably movable in vertical directions. The posts 3| are channel shapedand positioned with the open sides thereof facing the conveyers 24 and 26, respectively. The base 30 is mounted on suitable casters 35 so that the apparatus may be wheeled about by a handle 36.

The conveyer 22 comprisestwo endless chains 40 each mounted on sprocket wheelsAZ and 44 and supporting carriers 48 attached to the chains by bearings 48. The center of weight of the carriers 46 is below the bearings 48 so that the carcarriers are maintained vertical. Two sprocket wheels 42 are individually mounted on the upper part of the frame by suitable bearings 58. The space between the wheels 42 is opento permit passage of the carriers 46. Two sprocket wheels 44 are mounted on a drive shaft 52. The carriers '46 have laterally extending seats and the carrierson one chain are opposite carriers on the other chain so that the seats of two opposed carriers form a support-for carrying units, for example, cases. The carriers 46 are adapted to pass on either side of the conveyers 24 and 26 when the chains 43] are driven by the sprocket wheels 44.

The conveyer 22 .isdriven byan electric motor 56 connected to the drive shaft 52 through speed reducing mechanism 51'. The mechanism 51 includes a shaft 58 having a pulley wheel 59 and a sprocket wheel 68 mounted thereon. A sprocket wheel 62 and a gear 63, mounted on a shaft 64, are driven by achain- 65 interconnecting the sprocket wheel 69 and the sprocket wheel 62. The gear 63 meshes with a gear 66 mounted on the shaft 52. The motor it drives the speed reducing mechanism 51 through a belt 63 interconnecting the motor and pulley 59.

The speed of the mechanism 51 may be regulated by mounting the motor 56 on an off-center pivot 69 and providing a variable pulley 10 for driving the belt 68. The pulley H3 is varied by tilting the motor 56 about its pivot by a crank lever I2 movable to a plurality of positions by a detent arrangement shown generally at I4. This type of speed regulator is well known and therefore it is not shown in detail.

When the conveyer 22 is operating, the carriers '46 are moved by the chains 40 in the direction indicated by the arrows in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

Units, for example boxes I5, may be supported" by the conveyer 24 at the inner end thereof hav-.

ing the edges of the boxes extending .over the edges of the conveyer so that the seats 5.5 .of the carriers 46 engage the boxes and carry them upwardly between the sprocket wheels 42 anddownwardly to the conveyer 26. :Thus units .at .the level of the conveyer 24 may be transferred to the conveyer 26, by the conveyer .22.

The conveyer 24 includes a frame formedby two cross members 80 and 8I, and two vertical members 82 and .83 interconnecting the members .80 and 6!. The members 80 and .BI are provided with shoulders 85 that overlap the outer .wall of the posts M. This braces the posts and also guides the conveyer for vertical movement. The members 82 and 83 are each provided with rollers 64 that extend into the channels of the adjacent posts 3| for guiding the conveyer vertically.

T-wo parallel angle irons 86 are supported adjacent theouter ends thereof by the memberB0 and the other ends thereof extend inwardly betweentheseats 55 of the carriers 48. The .inner ends of the angle irons .are supported by a strut 81,0neend of which strut is attached to the mem- .ber 8 I. A plurality of pulley wheels 88 are mount- .ed in alignment with one another on the outside wallsof the an le irons 86 and belts 9.0 are mounted over the pulleys'88 on each iron 6.6. The belts :90, supported on .the pulleys .08, are adapted to carry boxes, and the'like, toward the inner end of the conveyer 24.

The pulleys 6.8 are driven'by the motor ,56 through mechanism, indicatedgeneraHy at 95, which mechanism .maintains .driving connection between the pulleys 88 and the motor 56 while the conveyer 24 is translatablymoved vertically on the frame 2|. The mechanism. 95 comprises an endless flexiblechain I00 mounted on four idler wheels Hill, which guide the chain I00'up one end of the frame, across theframe and down the opposite endof .the .frame. The chain I00 is .driven by a sprocket wheel I04 mounted .on

.the shaft 58, thechain being maintained in engagement with the sprocket wheel I04 by an idler whee1.I05. The chain I 00drives a sprocket wheel I08 mounted on a shaft I09. Idler wheels IIO -maintain the chain I00 .in engagement with the wheel I 08. The idler wheels I I0 are supported on a plate H4 attached tothe member 83 of the conveyer frame. Thus the wheels I I0 retain their positions relative .to the sprocket wheel I08 as theconveyer124 is translatably moved vertically. The shaft I06 is supported by abearing I I2 at .tached to a plate I.I3 interconnecting the cross belts 90.

device comprises a block I2I having corrugations on the bottom thereof that interlock with corrugations I22 of a plate I23 attached over the ends of the angle irons 86. The block I2I may be clamped to the plate I23 by a suitable clamping device represented at I24.

A movable stop device I is operated in synchronism with the conveyer 22 for timing the delivery of each unit to the stop I20 so that incoming units will not interfere with a preceding unit to be picked up by the carriers 46. The stop device I30 comprises a channel shaped member I3I extending vertically between the angle irons 86 and pivotally mounted at I32 on an arm I33. The upperend of the member I3I is forked and an anti-friction roller I34 is mounted between the tines of the fork. A roller I35 is supported between the angle irons 86 for maintaining the stop member upright. The arm I33 is attached to a shaft I36 supported by two brackets I31 extending fromthe cross member 80 and when the shaft is rotated the arm I33 raises or lowers the stop member I 3|. The shaft I36 is rotated by alever I40, pivotally mounted to a bracket I4I on the member -83, which lever I40 is connected to the shaft by a link I42 and arm I43, the arm I43 being attached to the shaft. A spring I44 interconnects the lever I 40 and a lug onthe plate I I4 -for biasing the lever I40 clockwise as viewed in Fig.6, for yieldingly urging the stop member I3I upwardly. The inner end of the lever I40 is provided with a pin I 45 disposed in alignment with plates I46, which plates are attached to one of the chains 40 a predetermined distance'below each of the carriers 46. The plates I46 have sloping edges I41 that engage the pin I45 for rotating thelever I40 counter-clockwise for drawing the -member I3I below the upper reach of the The spring I44 draws the lever I40 downward when the latter is released by the plates I46. It-will be noted that the plates I46 engage the pin I45 on the lever I40 after the carriers 46 have moved a predetermineddistance above the belts .90.

Suitable guides, illustrated at'I48, are provided for aligning the carriers 46 with units extending over the edges of the conveyer 24. These guides prevent swinging of the carriers and interference of the carriers with the parts of the conveyer.

A runway I50 is connected with the conveyer 24 for carrying units to the belts 90. The runway may be of the well known type comprising two parallel bars I5I having rollers I52 supported therebetween. The outer end of the runway I50 is supported by a strut I55 and the inner end of the runway is attached to the brackets I31.

Units, for example, boxes15, passing along the conveyer 24 may be centered on the conveyer by roller guides I adjustably positioned on the members 82 and 83, respectively, by suitable clamps I 6|.

A platform I62 on which an operator may stand, is supported on the conveyer 24 by lugs I63 and a brace I64.

The conveyer 24 may be elevated on the frame to any desired position by mechanism to be described hereinafter.

The conveyer 26 is provided with mechanism for moving units along the conveyer, which mechanism'is rendered operative after a unit is deposited on the conveyer and then rendered inoperative before the next unit is deposited on the conveyer by a device operatin in synchronism with the conveyer 22.

The conveyer 26 includes cross members 200 counter-clockwise.

and 20I interconnected by vertical members-202 and 203. The members 202 and 203 are provided with rollers 204 at each end thereof, which rollers extend into the channel of the posts 3| for guiding the conveyer vertically. Shoulders 85 are provided on the ends of the members 200 and 20 I, which shoulders engage the outer wall of the posts 3|.

An inverted channel iron 205 is attached'adjacent one end thereof to the member 200, and the inner end thereof is supported by a strut 206. A plurality of pulley wheels 208 ar mounted on each side of the channel iron 205 in alignment with one another. Belts 2I0 are mounted on the pulleys 208 on each side of the channel iron 205 for carrying units along the conveyer 26.

The belts 2I0 are driven by two pulleys'2l2 mounted on'a shaft 2I3. One end of the shaft 2I3 is supported in a socket bearing 2I4 attachedto the member 203 and the opposite end of the shaft 2I3 is journaled in a roller bearing 2I5 attached to the member 202. The shaft 2I3 is adapted to be driven by the chain I00 through a'sprocket wheel 220 and a clutch 226. The sprocket wheel 220 is supported on the socket bearing 2I4 by roller bearings 22I and is held in engagement with the chain I00 by two idler wheels 222 supported on a plate 224 attached to the member 203. It is apparent that the conveyer 26 may be moved vertically and the sprocket wheel 220 and chain I00v 2I3. The sleeve 23I is prevented from rotation by a hook 235 depending from the member 200 and engaging a laterally extending pin 236' attached to the sleeve 23 I The block 228 is slidable longitudinally on the shaft 2I3 for engaging and disengaging the block 221.

The clutch blocks are moved together by mechanism operated in synchronism with the conveyer 22 for connecting the sprocket Wheel 2211 and shaft 2I3 immediately after a unit is deposited on the belts 2I0 and disconnecting the Wheel and shaft before the next unit is deposited on the belts. This clutch operating mechanism comprises a lever 240 pivotally mounted on the end of an arm 24 I which arm extends from the member 2022. Pins 242 extend laterally from each end of the lever 240 in the path of lugs 244 attached to one of the chains 40. The lugs 244 are disposed a predetermined distance above the surface of the seats 55 of the carriers. As the carriers descend the lugs 244 first engage the upper pin 242 and rotate the lever 240 clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 1. As the lugs move downwardly they engage the lower pin 242 and rotate the lever 240 The lever 240 is connected to an arm 245 of a crank member 246 by a rod 241. The member 246 comprises a shaft 248 having the arm 245 extending from one end thereof and an arm 249 extending from the opposite end. The shaft 248 is journaled in a bearing mounted on the arm 24I. 249 and the sleeve 23I of the clutch mechanism 226. The rod 255 is connected to the sleeve23I by a plate 256 attached to the sleeve 23I and through which one end of the rod 255 extends.

A block 25?, attached to the rod 255, engages the A rod 255 interconnects the arm to the conveyer member 200.

plate 256 when the rod 255 is moved to the right, as viewed in-Fig. 8, for disconnecting the clutch blocks. A spring 258 is disposed about the rod 255 intermediate the plate 256 and a block 259 attached to the rod 255. When the rod 255 is moved to the left, as viewed in Fig. 8, the sleeve 23! is resiliently urged to the left to engage the .clutch block 228 with the clutch block 221. The resilient connection insures proper interlocking of the catches on the clutch blocks.

It is apparent thatwhen the lever 240 is rotated clock-wise by the lugs 244 the rod .255 is moved to the left and the clutch blocks engage.

thereof during the movement of a lug 244 from the upper end of the lever 240 to the lower end of the lever. v

Preferably, a roller conveyer 260, similar to the conveyer I50, is attached to the outer end of the conveyer 26 to facilitate removal of units therefrom. Also two lugs 262 are attached to the members 202 and 203, respectively, and two lugs 263 are attached to themember 20I for attachin a platform to the conveyor on which an operator may stand. 7

The conveyer 26 may be translatably moved vertically on the frame 2 I by an elevator mechanism 280. This mechanism comprises a shaft 28I supported at the top of the frame 2I. The shaft 28! may be rotated by a crank 282 mounted on the side of the frame 2|, which crank is "connected with the shaft 28I through gear mechanism. This mechanism comprises a chain 284 mounted on a sprocket wheel 285 and a sprocket wheel 286, the latter wheel driving a gear 281 meshed with a gear 288 on the shaft 28L Two cables 2'60, wound onspools 20I on the shaft 28I, are connected By turning the crank 282, the conveyer -may be translatably moved to any desired height on the frame 2 I. The crank 282 is provided with a ratchet device 204 for locking the crank in position.

The conveyer 24 may be translatably moved vertically on the frame 2| bymechanism similar to the mechanism 280 and similar parts of the elevator mechanism for the conveyer 24 havebeen given the same reference numerals. Parts of the elevator mechanism for the conveyer 24 have been omitted from the drawings for the sake of clarity.

When it is desirable to elevate units for example boxes I5, from one level to another, as

when the boxes are to be stacked in a warehouse,

the boxes are fed to the conveyer 24 over the runway I50. The belts 90, rotating continuously while the conveyer apparatus is in operation, move the boxes against the stop member I3I. The stop member I3I is withdrawn from the path of the first box when a lug I46 raises the lever I40. The

belts then carry the box inwardly against the stop I20. The lever I40 is released from the plate I46 before the first box passes over the stop member I3I so that the member I3I is yieldingly urged upwardly against the bottom of the moving box.

As the box passes from the roller I34 of the stop member I 3I the stop member is raised in the path of the next box and blocks the movement of the thebelts 90, the tension of ithe spring ['44 .may?be such to cause the member l3l to raise one-end'of the boxpassing thereover an'd'thus' be in a position to block the following box. The :box abutting the stop I20 is picked 'up by'two :carriers 415 and carried upwardly. After the two 'carriers have moved upwardly a predetermined distancesaplate I46 then raises the lever'14ll to cause the'nextibox to be released by'the stop member 'l'3'l. It is apparent that a single box wilLbe moved in alignment with the carriers 46 after a-preceding box has been removed from the conveyer. Thus-preceding boxes will not interfere with boxes being picked up by the carriers 46of the conveyer 22.

The stop I20 is adjusted so 'thatthe boxes will be centrally disposed onthe carriers 46: to maintain the carriers level.

The boxes are carried upwar'dlyandbetween the sprocket wheels 742 by the carriers 46 and downwardly to the convey-er 26. When a box isdeposited on the belts 210 of the conveyer'2'6, the belts are motionless. After the seats 55 of the carriers are lowered-below the upperreaches'of the belts 2H1 and'no'longer engage the box,'a lug 244 rotates the lever 240 for connecting the clutch blocks 22'! and 228. This causes the sprocket wheel 220 to drive the belts 2 H] for =moving the deposited box outwardly along the conveyer 23. When the lug 244 strikes the lower pin 242 of the lever 240, the lever 240 is moved to cause the clutch block 228 to disengage from the clutch block 221. Thus the belts 2H] are stopped before the next box is deposited thereon.

As the cases are stacked'higher, the elevator 26 may be raised to the top level of the stackby the crank 282. 'Also, the conveyer 24 may-be similarly elevated or lowered on the frame 2l "for removing cases from-various elevations.

Referring to Fig. 1-1 of the drawings, the structure of the bearing "48 is shown in detail. Two link plates320 have openings 32l for receiving the necks 322 of a tubular member-325. The-tubular member is provided with shoulders 326, which shoulders abut the plates adjacentthe openings 32I for locking the member 325 in place. The plates 320 also have openings 328 ateachend for receiving a suitable coupling'pin for connecting the plates with adjacent links in the chain '40.

A pin 330 extends into the opening 329 and I through the member 325 and a plurality of rollers 33l are interposed between the pin and the walls of the opening 329 'for minimizing friction when the pin is rotated. A shoulder 332 is formed on one end of the pin-330 and a collar 333 "is attached to the pin at the opposite end by a set screw-334. The shoulder and collar engage the "end edges-of the tubular member to prevent endwise movement of the pin in the opening 329. Theshou'lder and collar also abutthe-ends of the rollers 33l foripreventing the rollers from working out of the ends of the opening 329.

A carrier 46 is welded to oneendof thepin33-3. Preferably a reenforcing plate 336 is interposed between the end of'the pin and the carrier.

The bearing -48 is readily connected in the chain 40 and provides a rigid assembly particularly suitable for supporting loads at one end of the bearing.

Referring to Fig. 12, another embodiment of the conveyer '20 is shown. Where the distance between the centers of the wheels 42 and 44 :is more than eighteen feet for example, the chain 40 has a tendency-to vibratebetween the wheels. To prevent or minimize this vibration a guide box. .If there iis no. space sbetweenlthe boxes-on member..340 is :positioned along :the inside edge of each of the chains 40. The guide members comprise-angle iirons .341 that are suspended by braces 3342 :suitably attached to the frame 2| 'of the conveyer apparatus. iOne face 344 of the .anglezirons 34il'is.adapted to abut the .edges of the 'Ilinks of ':the chain .40 and the .faces .345 of the angle irons face outwardly. The lirik plates 3200f the bearings'48are provided with shoulders 341 that extend beyond the inner edges ofthe links of the chain-and th'e'inside'fac'esof these shoulders are adapted 'to move along the faces 34-5 and 'the inner edges rof the faces :3 of the *angle irons 34L It is apparent that the links of the chains :40 'abut"the:guides'whenfthe chains tend :to vibrate in "the direction of "the guide members andthe shoulders 341 abut the facess3'45 and inner'edge of the face 344 when the chains tend to vibrate toward one another.

While the forms of embodiments of themesen't inventionas herein disclosed constitute preferred :forms, it is to be understood that .other forms might be adopted all :coming within the scoperof the claims which follow.

I claim:

'1..In "combination, a conveyer including, an endless belt and mechanism 'for'imoving said belt for moving units alongfthe conveyer, a continuously operated second conveyer l for sequentially transferring units carried thereon to the first mentioned conveyer, theifirst mentioned conveyer, belt and mechanism being translatable withrespect to the second conveyer; and means-operative according to operation of the second .con- 'veyer for rendering fsaid mechanism operative after the transfer of a'unit from thesecond conveyer to the first mentioned [conveyer and "for rendering said 2mechanism 'inoperative'before a sequential unitis transferred to the first mentioned conveyer.

.2. In combination, a conveyer 'for "carrying .units in one direction; a second conveyer for carrying units in a direction laterally with respect to the first mentioned direction, one of said conveyers being adapted to transfer =units .carried thereon to the other conveyer; .means forminga guide for the second mentioned conveyer, said guide extending in said one direction; means for moving the second mentioned conveyer along the guide and for retaining the same in any of :a plurality of positions along said guide; a clutch member; :means continuously driving the clutch member; a second clutch .member driven by the first clutch member and arranged to drive the second mentioned conveyer, said clutch members and driving means being carried by the :second mentioned conveyer and movable therewith along the guide; and means actuatedby andintimedrelation with'the first mentioned conveyer for :periodical actuating the clutch to startzand stop the second mentioned conveyer.

:3. In combination, a conveyer for carrying units inone direction; a second conveyer'for carrying units in a direction r-laterally with respect to the first mentioned direction, one of said conveyers being adapted to transfer units carried thereon to the other conveyer; means forming a guide for the second mentioned conveyer, said guide extending in said one direction; means for moving the second mentioned conveyer along the guide and for retaining the same in any of a pluralityof positions along said guide; a :drive member extending in :said :one 'direction 2a clutch member continuously driven by :the drive memher; a second clutch member driven by the first clutch member and arranged to drive the second mentioned conveyer, said clutch members being carried by the second mentioned conveyer and movable therewith along the guide; and means actuated by and in timed relation with the first mentioned conveyer for periodically actuating the clutch to start and stop the second mentioned conveyer.

4. In combination, a conveyer for carrying units in one direction; a second conveyer for carrying units in a direction laterally with respect to the first mentioned direction, one of said conveyers being adapted to transfer units carried thereon to the other conveyer; means forming a guide for the second mentioned conveyer,

said guide extending in said one direction; means for moving the second mentioned conveyer along the guide and for retaining the same in any of a plurality of positions along said guide; means continuously driving the second mentioned conveyer, said driving means being carried by the second mentioned conveyer and movable therewith along said guide; a releasable stop carried by the second mentioned conveyer and interposed in the path of movement of the units on the second conveyer and arranged to detain the unit engaging the same although the second conveyer tends to conveye said unit; and means actuated by and in timed relation with the first mentioned conveyer for periodically releasing the stop.

GEORGE W. CARMICHAEL. 

